methylate

  1. Verb.  To add, or treat with methyl alcohol (see methylated spirits).
  2. Verb.  (organic chemistry) To add a methyl group to a compound.
  3. Verb.  (biochemistry) To add a methyl group to a nucleic acid as part of the process of gene expression.
  4. Noun.  (chemistry) The anion -O-CH3- derived from methanol by loss of a proton; any salt containing this anion.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.